On the recordJuly 16, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor now because of a serious concern, a deadly concern even, that the people of my district, the First Congressional District of Illinois, the citizens of the great city of Chicago, and indeed those from around our country, that they are experiencing and that they are witnessing, and that is the preponderance of violence, killings, young people killing each other, and innocent bystanders shot down on the streets of my city. They leave victims of gun violence perpetrated by young men, older citizens, retirees, victims of gun violence in my city. One will get the notion that the name attributed to my city is apropos, that it is a worthy name, Chiraq, a nickname that has been associated with my city. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to say that this great city that I love, these people--worthy people of the First Congressional District, these hardworking Americans who have contributed greatly to the greatness of this Nation, they don't live in a place called Chiraq. Chiraq is not apropos. We wholeheartedly and determinedly resist and repudiate any references to our city with the inappropriate--grossly inappropriate name of Chiraq. We don't embrace Chiraq and none of its implications. Yes, there is a focus on the violence that occurs in our city, but, Mr.…





